TV Land Signs Darren Star to New Deal, Orders ‘First Wives’ Pilot

Viacom’s TV Land said it had signed producer Darren Star to a new pact that will have him develop a new project for the cable network while continuing as executive producer for the series “Younger” (pictured, above) and ordered a pilot that would adapt the popular 1996 movie “The First Wives Club.”

The network, which unveiled its new plans at an upfront presentation Thursday, said it renewed “Teachers” for a 20-episode second season.

TVLand also announced pilot orders for three projects:

“First Wives Club,” written by Rebecca Addelman and exec produced by Jenny Bicks, will take place in modern-day San Francisco. The story revolves around three women – friends and classmates in the ’90s – who reconnect after their close friend from college dies in a freak accident. Paramount Television will produce for TVLand.

Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone will exec produce “Nobodies,” a comedy that follows Groundlings alums Hugh Davidson, Larry Dorf and Rachel Ramras – who play themselves and will also serve as executive producers – as they try desperately to land one of their famous friends for a feature script that they have developed, so that they, too, can rise to fame in Hollywood. Jax Media’s Tony Hernandez will exec produce for TVLand.

An untitled “Kyle Richards Project” is set in the ’70s, and centers on Bonnie Nolan, a 40-year-old woman with a beautiful home and two beautiful daughters to go with it. Finding herself alone after her marriage fails, Bonnie is a single woman with no means to support herself or her children. The project is inspired by Richards’ real-life upbringing, and her mother’s struggle to raise her family and claim her own brand of independence in a world not ready to give it. The pilot is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television for TVLand, and will be exec produced by John Wells and John Riggi, who wrote the pilot script. Richards will co-exec produce.